Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The arrangements for appointments to the boards of State bodies are normally set out in the legislation establishing the bodies in question and are designed to ensure efficient management of the organisation. Appointments to the boards are generally made by the Minister with responsibility for the body in question, subject to the consent of the Minister for Finance.

In making appointments, Ministers seek to ensure that the people appointed bring a diverse range of relevant skills and experience to the body. Ministers also take account of any specific legislative or policy requirements, such as those contained in the Worker Participation (State Enterprises) Acts or the Government's policy on gender balance on the boards of State bodies. Where appropriate, Ministers may also consider representation from different strands of society such as the business community, consumers, trade unions or the other social partners.

I am generally happy that the present arrangements, which follow the practice of previous Governments, work well and that people with the required skills and experience are appointed to State boards. Nevertheless, I recognise that it might be useful to give some thought to involving committees of the House in appointments to some boards. This is an issue some of my colleagues have examined with regard to boards under their remit.

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